THE CHARGE with Dennis Metzler

Pentecostals: Pacifism, War, and Peace--Part 1 w/ Dr. Jay Beaman--(Nonviolence)

Dr. Beaman explores early Holiness and Pentecostal churches and their very significant pacifist orientation. We consider the reasons for pacifism, how it was propagated, how widespread it was, and how it was practiced sacrificially during WWI with many going to prison rather than war. Beaman tells the story of Pentecostals' gradual accommodation to American culture and how that played out in relation to military service.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. Jay Beaman is the author of "Pentecostal Pacifism: The Origin, Development, and Rejection of Pacific Belief among the Pentecostals"
Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Pentecostal-Pacifism-Development-Pentecostals-Peacemaking/dp/1606088734/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?crid=15EAYR95MNSHE&keywords=pentecostal+pacifism+beamn&qid=1699656205&sprefix=pentecostal+pacifism+beamn%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-2-fkmr1

The Thomas Drake Story: Whistleblowing, NSA Mass Surveillance, & Governmental Waste, Fraud, & Abuse

Tom Drake tells his story from inside the NSA as a senior executive, blowing the whistle on corruption, and his struggle to defend himself against the prosecution delivered by the Department of Justice. We then discuss his activism since then, the nature of government surveillance before and after 9/11, surveillance as it relates to privacy, ethics, and the Constitution, and whistleblower protection. We finish up with the moral culture within the intelligence community, the US Congress and Supreme Court as they relate to surveillance, and what US citizens can do.
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The Moral Argument for God's Existence: Dr. Douglas Groothuis and Christian Apologetics

We discuss the cultural and individual varieties of ethical relativism, the dependency and diversity theses, "which culture decides morality?", moral progress and tolerance, the argument from damnation, nihilism, Max Stirner, non-dualistic pantheism and the two truths theory. Dr. Groothuis then covers morality as biological adaptation, atheistic existentialism, atheistic moral realism, Arthur Leff, objective moral authority, descriptivism, personalism, and necessary truths.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. Douglas Groothuis is Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary.
Check out Dr. Douglas Groothuis' "Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith" by following the link: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Apologetics-Comprehensive-Biblical-Faith/dp/1514002752/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1696461881&sr=1-1

Political Theology with William Cavanaugh---Migrations of the Holy: God, The State and the Church

Dr. William Cavanaugh explores the nation-state, the common good, unity, pluralism, subsidiarity, identity, mobility, and globalization. We then consider the U.S. as a messianic nation, state disciplinary power, the liturgy of state and church, the church as a political body, the visibility of the church in repentance, and Hauerwas' political thought in light of the cross.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Dr. Cavanaugh's "Migrations of the Holy: God, State, and the Political Meaning of the Church" by following the link: https://www.amazon.com/Migrations-Holy-Political-Meaning-Church/dp/0802866093/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TSP8HCQMY5AB&keywords=Migrations+of+the+Holy%3A+God%2C+The+State+and+the+Church&qid=1696463240&s=books&sprefix=migrations+of+the+holy+god%2C+the+state+and+the+church%2Cstripbooks%2C201&sr=1-1

Old Testament CONTROVERSIES: Evolution, Genocide, Homosexuality & Historicity w/ Dr. Tremper Longman

Dr. Longman discusses the creation story in terms of genre, interpretation, theology, history, science, evolution, and Adam's historicity. We then cover the historicity of the exodus and conquest in regard to various views, genre, interpretation, and archeology. We then move onto OT violence, particularly the conquest of Canaan. Longman examines the views of Copan and Boyd and considers suffering, wrath, judgment, sin, and moral trajectory. We finish up with homosexuality, considering the biblical data, interpretation, and objections to the traditional view.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Dr. Longman's "Confronting Old Testament Controversies: Pressing Questions about Evolution, Sexuality, History, and Violence" by following the link: https://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Old-Testament-Controversies-Questions/dp/0801019117/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Q69HSFATZBWD&keywords=Longman+Old+Testament+CONTROVERSIES&qid=1696463064&s=books&sprefix=longman+old+testament+controversies%2Cstripbooks%2C209&sr=1-1

A Case for the Soul Against Materialism: with Dr. Joshua Farris

Dr. Joshua Farris discusses the existence, nature, and origin of the human soul. We consider materialism, human experience and reason, neuroscience, and veridical near death experiences. Farris also examines neo-Cartesianism, substance dualism, and origin theories including materialism, panpsychism, and emergentism. We move on to the possibility of souls in animals and aliens, his case for divine creationism, theistic dualism, theistic idealism, the New Testament, and finally an application for the church today.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Joshua Farris' book "The Creation of the Self: A Case for the Soul" https://www.amazon.com/Creation-Self-Case-Soul/dp/1803410868/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Historical Jesus Research with Dr. Darrell L. Bock (The Historical Jesus: 5 Views)

Dr. Darrell Bock considers the definition, purpose, and history of historical Jesus studies, relationship to apologetics, methods and sources, criteria of authenticity, various contemporary views, and the authority of Scripture. We take a look at seven biblical situations and discuss how they relate to historical Jesus research: Jesus' ministry to the marginalized, the kingdom of God and the promised new age of God, Jesus' messianic claims, the nature of kingdom life, the cleansing of the temple, as well as Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Finally, Dr. Bock offers his thoughts on how historical Jesus research relates to the life and mission of the church.
I, Dennis would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. Darrell L. Bock is the author of over 45 books and the Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies and the Executive Director for Cultural Engagement at the Hendricks Center, both at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Check out "The Historical Jesus: Five Views" by IVP Academic 2009. Dr. Bock contributed the 5th view. https://www.amazon.com/Historical-Jesus-Five-Views/dp/0830838686/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BL4ZRA1JGK9Z&keywords=the+historical+jesus+5+views&qid=1690754010&sprefix=5+views+historic%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1

Jesus on the Holy Spirit: An Unconventional God & 7 Secrets of the Spirit-Filled Life: Jack Levison

We discuss the Holy Spirit according to Jesus, the Spirit’s involvement in the birth narratives of Jesus and John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ baptism and temptation, and how the Holy Spirit is related to Jesus’ teaching, preaching, exorcism, and training of his disciples. Levison continues with the Holy Spirit in regard to dealing with personal suffering and hostility as well as his role as paraclete. We cover the future mission of the church and God’s unconventionality, especially as expressed in the cross. Dr. Levison discusses anticipating more of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, the life of the Spirit and the Scriptures, committed Christian community and the power of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit’s transformation of the world around us.
Dr. Jack Levison is Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrew at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology.
I, Dennis would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment or email me at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Check out Dr. Levison’s books: An Unconventional God: The Spirit According to Jesus https://www.amazon.com/Unconventional-God-Spirit-according-Jesus/dp/1540961192/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3N0G9O93I7H8P&keywords=An+unconventional+god&qid=1689382702&sprefix=an+unconventional+god%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1
Seven Secrets of the Spirit-Filled Life: Daily Renewal, Purpose, and Joy When You Partner with the Holy Spirit https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Secrets-Spirit-Filled-Life-Renewal/dp/0800762703/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S84N0EJPEW0Y&keywords=7+secrets+of+the+spirit+filled+life&qid=1689371800&sprefix=7+secrets+spirit%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1

8 Models of Evangelism: Personal, Liturgical, Prophetic and More with Dr. Priscilla Pope-Levison

We cover definitions of evangelism and the gospel, the biblical basis for evangelism, plus eight core models of evangelism: personal, small group, visitation, liturgical, church growth, prophetic, revival and media. Dr. Pope-Levison also looks at five qualities of evangelism: hospitality, relationship, integrity, message bearing, and church rootedness. Finally, we consider how congregations can be empowered to participate in evangelism.
I, Dennis, would love to hear from you. Leave a comment or send me an email at thecharge.info@gmail.com
Dr. Priscilla Pope-Levison is Research Professor of Practical Theology at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology and the author of "Models of Evangelism".
Check it out: https://www.amazon.com/Models-Evangelism-Priscilla-Pope-Levison/dp/0801099498/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4TKK3OE1X93O&keywords=models+of+evangelism+by+priscilla+pope-levison&qid=1688144191&sprefix=models+of+evangelism%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1

The Gospel of Luke with Dr. Nicholas Perrin: Theology, Ethics, Background, and Eschatology

Nicholas Perrin discusses the Gospel of Luke including purpose, audience, social-historical situation, use of the OT, birth narratives, the kingdom of God, political conflict, and conflict with the Jewish religious system. Our talk continues with the socially marginalized, the Sermon on the Plain, training and sending the disciples, the hard discipleship sayings, eschatology, the crucifixion and resurrection, and application for today's church.
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Dr. Nicholas Perrin is a biblical scholar and is president of Trinity International University. This interview is based on his book "Luke: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Volume 3)"
Check it out at: https://www.amazon.com/Luke-Introduction-Commentary-Testament-Commentaries/dp/1514005352/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BDGLDAJCGBUE&keywords=luke+commentary+perrin&qid=1686862683&sprefix=%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-1